Electric power distribution and environment: interference of power installation magnetic fields on computer systems

The present study analyzes the electromagnetic interference produced on visual display units (VDUs) in domestic and industrial environments. The main sources of disturbance may be identified in three-phase lines, unbalanced currents, currents in earthing systems, proximity of power installations, proximity of railway tracks, and presence of harmonics on the neutral conductor. Magnetic-field interference for PCs is practically limited to the deflection of the cathode-ray tube (CRT) electron beam. The vertical magnetic field determines a horizontal electron beam motion. The distortion depends linearly on magnetic field intensity and on the difference between the frequency of the CRT vertical raster scan and the frequency of the interfering magnetic field. Herein are analyzed two actual cases of interference produced by the DC-supply line of a metropolitan tram network and by the public electric power distribution network.     

Inclusion of Methoxybutropate in β-and Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrins: Comparison of Preparation Methods

Interactions between methoxybutropate and β-cyclodextrin or hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin and the possibility of obtaining inclusion complexes have been evaluated by phase solubility diagram, HPLC, DSC, and x-ray diffractometry. Solid inclusion complexes were prepared by spray drying, kneading, and solid dispersion. The dissolution profiles of the obtained powders were studied in order to define the most appropriate cyclodextrin preparation method and molar ratio to use in the production of methoxybutropate inclusion complexes     

Kuwanon‐L as a New Allosteric HIV‐1 Integrase Inhibitor: Molecular Modeling and Biological Evaluation

HIV‐1 integrase (IN) active site inhibitors are the latest class of drugs approved for HIV treatment. The selection of IN strand‐transfer drug‐resistant HIV strains in patients supports the development of new agents that are active as allosteric IN inhibitors. Here, a docking‐based virtual screening has been applied to a small library of natural ligands to identify new allosteric IN inhibitors that target the sucrose binding pocket. From theoretical studies, kuwanon‐L emerged as the most promising binder and was thus selected for biological studies. Biochemical studies showed that kuwanon‐L is able to inhibit the HIV‐1 IN catalytic activity in the absence and in the presence of LEDGF/p75 protein, the IN dimerization, and the IN/LEDGF binding. Kuwanon‐L also inhibited HIV‐1 replication in cell cultures. Overall, docking and biochemical results suggest that kuwanon‐L binds to an allosteric binding pocket and can be considered an attractive lead for the development of new allosteric IN antiviral agents.     

Tampering in RFID: A Survey on Risks and Defenses

RFID is a well-known pervasive technology, which provides promising opportunities for the implementation of new services and for the improvement of traditional ones. However, pervasive environments require strong efforts on all the aspects of information security. Notably, RFID passive tags are exposed to attacks, since strict limitations affect the security techniques for this technology. A critical threat for RFID-based information systems is represented by data tampering, which corresponds to the malicious alteration of data recorded in the tag memory. The aim of this paper is to describe the characteristics and the effects of data tampering in RFID-based information systems, and to survey the approaches proposed by the research community to protect against it. The most important recent studies on privacy and security for RFID-based systems are examined, and the protection given against tampering is evaluated. This paper provides readers with an exhaustive overview on risks and defenses against data tampering, highlighting RFID weak spots and open issues.     

Effect of kaolin and copper based products and of starter cultures on green table olive fermentation

In the present study table olives treated in field with kaolin and copper based products against “olive-fruit fly” were fermented using two selected strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The fermentation process was monitored up to 260 days from brining through physico-chemical, microbiological and sensorial analyses. Results showed a dominance of LAB and yeasts and low level of Enterobacteriaceae counts throughout the whole process both in un-treated and treated samples. When investigating the effect of the single treatments on microbial dynamics, ANOVA results highlighted that copper based products affected significantly the control sample, while the sample inoculated with LAB starters maintained high level throughout the process, guaranteeing the fermentation process. Different behavior was revealed by yeasts population, which was partially influenced by copper treatment at the beginning of the fermentation.The polyphasic approach used in the present study, which combined sensory evaluation to microbial counts and physico-chemical characteristics, let to the conclusion on the importance of starter cultures in fermentation of table olives especially those treated with “non-conventional” pesticide, which could be used to prevent olive fly damage.     

Densification and properties of bulk nanocrystalline functional ceramics with grain size below 50 nm

The synthesis and functional characterization of dense bulk nanometric oxides are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the modifications that a grain size in the low nanometric range (10–50 nm) introduces in their physical properties. The preparation of ceramics with low porosity and extremely small grain size is particularly challenging and mostly relies on the sintering of extremely fine nanopowder. The most popular methods for the preparation of the starting nanopowders are introduced and briefly discussed as well as the most widely employed densification techniques. The role of nanostructure in controlling phase stability, electrical and thermal transport, optical and magnetic properties of nano-oxides is discussed in details. Several examples are given where bulk materials prepared with grain size equal or below 50 nm show characteristics that are either enhanced or, in some cases, completely different from those possessed by the same materials, but with larger grain sizes.     

Internal structure of bitumen/polymer/wax ternary mixtures for warm mix asphalts

Polymer modified asphalts (PMA) and warm mix asphalts (WMA) are technologies widely adopted in the paving industry. The first one is well established, while the second one is relatively new, but rapidly growing since it guarantees economic and environmental advantages. Until now PMA and WMA have been used disjointedly, but it would be useful to combine them to keep the advantages of both. One of the adopted solutions to obtain a warm effect is the addition of waxes to the asphaltic binder. Therefore, a “warm mix polymer modified asphalt” may be potentially obtained with a ternary asphalt/polymer/wax system. However, the final warm effect and performances of the binder will depend on the interactions between the three components. A preliminary investigation was done by mixing asphalt, styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer and a wax chosen among the following three categories: paraffinic, partially oxidized and maleic anhydride functionalized. The morphological and calorimetric analyses and solubility tests allowed identifying different behaviors depending on the wax type, which may preferentially interact either with the asphalt or with the polymer, thus influencing the whole binder structure. With regard to the ternary mixes, it was found that: (i) the paraffinic wax preferentially resides in the polymer‐rich phase, and slightly enhances the asphalt‐polymer compatibility; (ii) the partially oxidized wax prefers the asphaltene‐rich phase and reduces the compatibility; (iii) it is not clear where the functionalized wax is located, but it has a considerable compatibilizing effect and strongly alters the colloidal equilibrium of the asphalt‐polymer blend. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013